Charles R. Druse, Sr.

Charles Richard Druse Sr., born to Alice Lucille Ross on February 21, 1937, at St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. He passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2025 at the age of 88. He lived in St. Thomas Orphanage in Lincoln, Nebraska until the age of 4 when he was adopted by Charles M. Druse Jr. and Hazel J. (Banwell) of Cambridge, Nebraska and graduated from Cambridge Public Schools in 1955, where he was on the Class C State Champion football team earning Allstate honors his senior year.

Chuck was an Eagle Scout and participated in scouting until the age of 45, attending two world jamborees in California and England. He was a lifeguard for five years in Cambridge, teaching many children to swim. He attended Creighton University before joining his father in the insurance business, where he worked for 35 years.

On September 26, 1959, Chuck married his high school sweetheart, Marcia L. Musil. Together, they were blessed with five children. Chuck, often referred to as C.R., had a life full of adventures. He was a private pilot and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved to set lines for catfish in the Medicine Creek and enjoyed all kinds of hunting with the highlight of hunting bears in Alaska. He was also a classic car collector. His first car was a 1930 Model A Coupe which cost him $25 which he still owned. He and his son Tom had a 1937 Plymouth Pickup restored.

A dedicated barbershop member of the Prairie Statesmen Chorus of McCook for 28 years, Chuck sang lead in a quartet. When Chuck was 54, he found his birth mother and gained three brothers in the process.

He was preceded in death by his parents; birth mother, Lucille; son, Robert M. Druse; son-in-law, Michael Hoberty; and brother, Ted Gushard.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marcia; children: Charles R. Jr. (Laura), Mary Hoberty, Jim (Tracey), and Tom (Lori); grandchildren: Mitch Walker (Bethany), Cassidy Erickson (Chris), Austin Druse (Hanna), MacKenzie Hansen (Travis), Madison Druse (fiancé John Magruder), Jenifer Kinner (Jon), Cameron Druse (Sydney), Schyler Hoberty, Ben Hoberty, Gavin Druse, and Emily Druse (fiancé Morgan Conner); and great-grandchildren: Palmer Erickson, Thatcher Erickson, Lennox Walker, Elisha Kinner, Titus Kinner, Naomi Kinner, Lydia Kinner, Michael Druse, and James Druse. He is also survived by two brothers, Tom (Ima) Gushard and Robert (Beth) Gushard.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday afternoon, July 30, 2025 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Lockenour-Jones Mortuary in Cambridge.

A Rosary will be recited at 10:30 AM on Thursday morning, July 31, 2025 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cambridge. Mass of Christian Burial, beginning at 11:00 AM, will follow the Rosary. Burial in Fairview Cemetery in Cambridge will follow services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Chuck's name are suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be left at lockenour.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Lockenour-Jones Mortuary of Cambridge.